Assertive discipline is an obedience-based discipline approach to classroom management developed by Lee and Marlene Canter. It involves a high level of teacher control in the class. It is also called the "take-control" approach to teaching, as the teacher controls their classroom in a firm but positive manner. The approach maintains that teachers must establish rules and directions that clearly define the limits of acceptable and unacceptable student behavior, teach these rules and directions, and ask for assistance from parents and/or administrators when support is needed in handling the behavior of students. The underlying goal of assertive discipline is to allow teachers to engage students in the learning process uninterrupted by students' misbehaviour. Assertive discipline trains teachers to:
Set clear behavioral limits and establish consequences for students
Provide consistent follow-through
Reward appropriate behavior
Part of this approach is developing a clear classroom discipline plan that consists of rules which students must follow at all times, positive recognition that students will receive for following the rules, and consequences that result when students choose not to follow the rules. These consequences should escalate when a student breaks the rules more than once in the same lesson. But the slate starts anew the next day. Assumptions of this approach include:
Students will misbehave.
Students must be forced to comply with rules.
Teachers have needs, wants and feelings and the right to teach without interruption by students misbehaving.
Assertive discipline is a structured, systematic approach designed to assist educators in running an organized, teacher-in-charge classroom environment.
This program is a common sense, easy-to-learn approach to help teachers become the captains of their classrooms and positively influence their students' behavior.
Assertive discipline has evolved since the mid '70s from an authoritarian approach to one that is more democratic and cooperative.
Authorities' contribution to discipline
Canter and Associates Inc. was founded by Lee and Marlene Canter in 1976. They used this company to market their assertive discipline program.
They also marketed products aimed at educating teachers on other topics such as motivation, violence prevention, conflict resolution, and instructional strategies with titles like "How to Get Parents On Your SideTM".
Have the students write the rules and take them home to be signed by the parents and return an attached message explaining the program and requesting their help.
Implement the program immediately.
Weaknesses
According to Canter, there are only three types of teachers: non assertive, hostile, and assertive; there is no other type of discipline system.
Canter's research to develop the program was with children with special needs. Canter assumes that the system will work with all students.
Rules and consequences are determined by an authority figure and students are told they can choose to obey or not.
